Main Content

[cutopen]

[SUPER=@Kimberly1;]

The latest round of winter weather may effect your commute this morning.
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[Take FS VDOT board]
For more information on road conditions you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-R-O-A-D.
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[TAKE FS WEB ADDRESS]
We also have the latest school information on the bottom of your screen.
You can also find a list on our website at WDBJ-7.com.
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[7-Thomas]

The capital murder trial of Jeffrey Allen Thomas continues today, after a parade of forensic scientists took the stand in Radford
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Pulaski]
linking hair, footprints and D-N-A to the defendant.
Thomas is charged with the murder of Tara Munsey in January of last year.
Jurors will hear more about DNA evidence today.
(-----------)

[7-Foundry-Memorial]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=tha]
[TAPE#=00-53]
[GRAPHIC=New River Castings]
A year ago, an explosion in Radford killed three people. Last night, friends and family members of the deceased gathered at the site of the blast.
Teresa Hamilton attended last night's memorial service and has the story.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of music]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Anderson/Karen Hamilton's Father; :13]
[SUPER=01-Lesa Rice/Karen Hamilton's Sister; :32]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Grooms/Curtis Grooms' Wife; :50]
[SUPER=01-Mike Treadway/Accident Victim; 1:11]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Radford.]
((
(///sot////)
[sot]
[in q=Nat sound of music.]
((NAT SOUND OF MUSIC.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q= nat sound of music.]
Music and a collection of memories shared by loved ones helped mark the year that's passed since three people lost their lives at what's now the New River Foundry.
(///sot////)
[sot 17:22:10]
[IN Q=My goal]
(ED ANDERSON/KAREN HAMILTON'S FATHER: MY GOAL IS TO TRY TO SEE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SEE THIS
SAME THING HAPPEN.)
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q= thing happen.]
Since losing his daughter, Karen-- Ed Anderson has been working to improve safety in the workplace.
Two of Ed Anderson's other daughters also took part in the ceremony.
(///sot////)
[sot 17:17:45]
[in q=Nothing could]
((LESA RICE/KAREN HAMILTON'S SISTER: NOTHING COULD EVER REPLACE KAREN. SHE WAS MY BIG SISTER, SHE HELPED ME WITH MY KIDS, HELPED ME GROW AND LEARN.))
[runs= 08]
[out q= grow and learn.]
The memorial service also paid tribute Debbie Sheppard and Curtis Grooms... who also died that night.
Curtis Grooms wife says she lost her best friend.
(////sot///)
[sot 17:15:37]
[in q=It hurts]
((MICHELLE GROOMS/CURTIS GROOMS' WIFE: IT HURTS THE SAME NOW AS IT DID A YEAR AGO WHEN I LEARNED HE'D GOTTEN KILLED. TIME HAS NOT HEALED THIS ONE BIT, IT HURTS JUST AS MUCH AS IT DID.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q= as it did.]
The victims who survived the explosion were also remembered... including Mike Treadway who now lives with permanent injuries and the knowledge he lost three friends.
(///sot///)
[sot 17:20:17]
[in q= I just hope]
((I JUST HOPE THEY NEVER FORGET HERE AND KEEP THINGS SAFE HERE SO THAT IT WILL BE SAFE FROM HERE ON OUT AND THAT NOTHING LIKE THIS WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN.))
[runs= 11]
[out q= happen again.]
[TAKE SU]
The company also chose the one year anniversary to make an announcement of its own.
The company plans to build a memorial in honor of the victims here at the plant.
Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Radford.

))[45-Standard-Register]

Plans to restructure the Standard Register company call for the closing of the company's Rocky Mount facility.
A company spokeswoman says the change will result in the loss of about 140 jobs.
The company says all Rocky Mount employees will be paid through May first.
(------------)

[45-Bedford-Budget]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=ssm]
[TAPE#=01-05 57:23]
[GRAPHIC=None]
A budget battle is brewing in Bedford County. Giving Bedford County teachers a big pay raise could mean a big hole in the county's budget for the next fiscal year.
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[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Bedford]

At a budget work session last night, supervisors were told the school budget would be 18-million dollars MORE than it was last year.. most of that going toward teacher raises.
That would leave the COUNTY with a nine million dollar deficit.. sparking rumors of a 28- cent hike in the real estate tax rate.
But supervisors say that's not likely to happen.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 15:34:43 #1//10:03:43 #2]
[IN Q=I would expect]
((LUCILLE BOGGESS/BEDFORD CO. SUPERVISOR: I WOULD EXPECT THAT THIS BOARD, THE CONSENSUS OF THIS BOARD IS THAT WE'RE NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING.. I'M NOT GOING TO BE WILLING TO DO A RATE INCREASE LIKE WHAT'S BEEN RECOMMENDED.))
[SUPER=01-Lucille Boggess/Bedford Co. Supervisor; :00]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=what's been recommended.]
(---------------)
[VO-NAT]

School board members say it's time teacher salaries were brought in line with the rest of the state.
(/////SOT/////)
[SOT 10:03:43]
[IN Q=I think it's]
((BETTY EARLE/SCHOOL BOARD MEMBER: I THINK IT'S A VERY LARGE NUMBER AND I THINK THEY'RE GRAPPLING WITH THAT AND I THINK AS THEY HAVE ALL ALONG TALKED ABOUT THEIR SUPPORT FOR TEACHER SALARY INCREASES AND SO DOES THE SCHOOL BOARD, AND IT'S A MATTER OF HOW DO WE GET THERE?))
[SUPER=01-Betty Earle/School Board Member; :00]
[RUNS=14]
[OUT Q=how do we get there?]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The board voted to delay advertising a specific tax hike until after the school board adopts its final budget Thursday night.
(------------)

[45-City-Council]

Roanoke city officials have a proposal waiting to end refuse collection in most of the city's alleys-- the plan remains controversial.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Roanoke]

City officials say they have been working to address concerns by identifying streets where curbside collection is impractical.
But some council members remain skeptical.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT 01:33:33]
[IN Q=It's so hard to compare]
((IT'S SO HARD TO COMPARE ROANOKE WITH OTHER CITIES, BECAUSE WE'RE HILLY. IT'S NOT LIKE NORFOLK OR SOME PLACE WHERE IT'S LEVEL GROUND AND PEOPLE DON'T HAVE THE PROBLEMS TO DEAL WITH THAT WE HAVE IN ROANOKE.))
[SUPER=01-Alvin Hudson/Roanoke City Council]
[RUNS=:11]
[OUT Q=that we have in Roanoke.]
(------------)
[VO-NAT]

The changes would allow the city to improve its recycling services in all neighborhoods without added expense. If council approves, the plan would take effect July first.
(------------)

[8-Weather-Information]

[ANCHOR=Kimberly]
[NEWSCAST=AM Cutins]
[WRITER=kor]
[TAPE#=none]
[GRAPHIC=HOLD]
Although weather has cancelled school in the Clifton Forge area today, the reversion vote is still on. We'll have more tonight on News 7.
[GRAPHIC=WINTER WEATHER]

And snowfall in the area could affect your commute this morning.
(++++++++++++)
[Take FS VDOT board]
For more information on road conditions you can call VDOT at 1-800-367-R-O-A-D.
(+++++++++++)
[TAKE FS WEB ADDRESS]
The latest school information is on the bottom of your screen.
You can also find the list at WDBJ-7.com.
(+++++++++)

[8-Wolverine-Union]

A Blacksburg plant that just laid off more than 100 workers will host a union vote in a little over a week.
(------------)
[VO-NAT]
[SUPER=03-Blacksburg;]

United Autoworkers Union supporters picketed yesterday .. outside Wolverine Gasket's Blacksburg Plant.
The plant has been non-union for over 20-years. A Wolverine spokesman says the company hopes the current relationship will continue.
(------------)

[8-Foundry-Memorial]

A year ago, a blast at the New River Castings plant in Radford claimed the lives of three workers.
Last night, friends and family members gathered to share their memories and offer support to one another.
Teresa Hamilton was there.
(///// SOT /////)
[SOT]
[IN Q=Nat sound of music]
[SUPER=03-Radford/Last Night; :00]
[SUPER=01-Ed Anderson/Karen Hamilton's Father; :13]
[SUPER=01-Lesa Rice/Karen Hamilton's Sister; :32]
[SUPER=01-Michelle Grooms/Curtis Grooms' Wife; :50]
[SUPER=01-Mike Treadway/Accident Victim; 1:11]
[SUPER=@Teresa1; 1:21]
[RUNS=1:33]
[OUT Q=Hamilton, NEWS 7, Radford.]
((
(///sot////)
[sot]
[in q=Nat sound of music.]
((NAT SOUND OF MUSIC.))
[RUNS= 03]
[OUT Q= nat sound of music.]
Music and a collection of memories shared by loved ones helped mark the year that's passed since three people lost their lives at what's now the New River Foundry.
(///sot////)
[sot 17:22:10]
[IN Q=My goal]
(ED ANDERSON/KAREN HAMILTON'S FATHER: MY GOAL IS TO TRY TO SEE THAT WE DON'T HAVE TO GO TO SOMEWHERE ELSE AND SEE THIS
SAME THING HAPPEN.)
[RUNS= 08]
[OUT Q= thing happen.]
Since losing his daughter, Karen-- Ed Anderson has been working to improve safety in the workplace.
Two of Ed Anderson's other daughters also took part in the ceremony.
(///sot////)
[sot 17:17:45]
[in q=Nothing could]
((LESA RICE/KAREN HAMILTON'S SISTER: NOTHING COULD EVER REPLACE KAREN. SHE WAS MY BIG SISTER, SHE HELPED ME WITH MY KIDS, HELPED ME GROW AND LEARN.))
[runs= 08]
[out q= grow and learn.]
The memorial service also paid tribute Debbie Sheppard and Curtis Grooms... who also died that night.
Curtis Grooms wife says she lost her best friend.
(////sot///)
[sot 17:15:37]
[in q=It hurts]
((MICHELLE GROOMS/CURTIS GROOMS' WIFE: IT HURTS THE SAME NOW AS IT DID A YEAR AGO WHEN I LEARNED HE'D GOTTEN KILLED. TIME HAS NOT HEALED THIS ONE BIT, IT HURTS JUST AS MUCH AS IT DID.))
[RUNS= 11]
[OUT Q= as it did.]
The victims who survived the explosion were also remembered... including Mike Treadway who now lives with permanent injuries and the knowledge he lost three friends.
(///sot///)
[sot 17:20:17]
[in q= I just hope]
((I JUST HOPE THEY NEVER FORGET HERE AND KEEP THINGS SAFE HERE SO THAT IT WILL BE SAFE FROM HERE ON OUT AND THAT NOTHING LIKE THIS WILL EVER HAPPEN AGAIN.))
[runs= 11]
[out q= happen again.]
[TAKE SU]
The company also chose the one year anniversary to make an announcement of its own.
The company plans to build a memorial in honor of the victims here at the plant.
)) Teresa Hamilton, NEWS 7, Radford.